Squeak inside the Ultra amplifier

Speedman

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Jan 7, 2024
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On Tuesday, I became the proud owner of an Amp Ultra. I love everything about it. It plays beautifully with a KEF Q350. But there are two things that make me unsure. First, the top of the enclosure is very warm. Warmer than the first WiiM amp. Maybe that's normal. But today, I put my ear to the enclosure, and I could hear a squealing and grinding noise inside. I need to listen more closely, but all the sounds are still there. In standby mode, it's silent. I'd like to ask other owners to listen and tell me if they experience this squealing noise, and if it's even supposed to be there, or should it be quiet inside the enclosure?
 
Sounds like coil whine, but what specifically could cause that in this unit, I would not know.

-Ed
I think this appeared after yesterday's update. Support asked me to record this beeping sound, but none of the microphones can hear it; they only record the ambient sound around me.
 
I think this appeared after yesterday's update. Support asked me to record this beeping sound, but none of the microphones can hear it; they only record the ambient sound around me.
Coil whine can be extremely hard to pick up on a microphone sometimes. It is low volume (sometimes barely higher than ambient/noise floor) and high frequency. Specifically mention to support that it appears it may be coil whine. Although typically this comes from the power supply circuit, I'm not sure why this would occur specifically after a firmware update.

-Ed
 
Coil whine can be extremely hard to pick up on a microphone sometimes. It is low volume (sometimes barely higher than ambient/noise floor) and high frequency. Specifically mention to support that it appears it may be coil whine. Although typically this comes from the power supply circuit, I'm not sure why this would occur specifically after a firmware update.

-Ed
Could this somehow affect the operation of the device in the future?
 
FFT apps like spectroid etc
;-)
(if you hear it there is little reason why it cannot be captured and observed like this ;-) )
 
Could this somehow affect the operation of the device in the future?
I am not sure, but if it is coil whine, it is probably fine unless there is a thermal issue. All of my past experience with coil whine was in the power supplies of computers that were heavily overclocked. Overclocking comes with other kinds of risks, but it surely a different subject for a different forum.

-Ed
 
If you are sure of such a whistling noise, have the device replaced without delay....
Coil defect probably...
 
FFT apps like spectroid etc
;-)
(if you hear it there is little reason why it cannot be captured and observed like this ;-) )
I can only hear it if I put my ear right next to the body. Even at night, in complete silence, you can't hear it unless you put your ear right next to the amplifier. And even then, you have to listen carefully, because it's deep inside.
 
My WiiM Amp, Amp pro, Amp Ultra and Vibelink Amp all have a very small operating noise coming from inside the unit. All from the very beginning. This sound is similar to the high-frequency noise heard from inside a USB charger.

I'm not sure if this is the same sound as the 'squealing and grinding noise' you are hearing.

I can also hear the sound if put my ear under the Ultra's screen. This is probably noise generated by the screen, but I don't know the details.
(I mentioned this earlier in one of the threads.)

As far as my device is concerned, I don't think any problem.
 
My WiiM Amp, Amp pro, Amp Ultra and Vibelink Amp all have a very small operating noise coming from inside the unit. All from the very beginning. This sound is similar to the high-frequency noise heard from inside a USB charger.

I'm not sure if this is the same sound as the 'squealing and grinding noise' you are hearing.

I can also hear the sound if put my ear under the Ultra's screen. This is probably noise generated by the screen, but I don't know the details.
(I mentioned this earlier in one of the threads.)

As far as my device is concerned, I don't think any problem.
Yes, yes, it is a high-frequency monotonous vibrating sound.
 
Yes, yes, it is a high-frequency monotonous vibrating sound.
It's probably not a problem, but it would be a relief if the support team could replace your device.

If you turn the Amp Ultra over and place your ear against the vents, you may be able to hear where the sound is coming from. If you can locate the sound, I recommend reporting it to the team.
 
It's probably not a problem, but it would be a relief if the support team could replace your device.

If you turn the Amp Ultra over and place your ear against the vents, you may be able to hear where the sound is coming from. If you can locate the sound, I recommend reporting it to the team.
According to my observations, the sound is best heard on the right in the far corner, when looking from above, in the area where the power cable enters.
 
It's probably not a problem, but it would be a relief if the support team could replace your device.

If you turn the Amp Ultra over and place your ear against the vents, you may be able to hear where the sound is coming from. If you can locate the sound, I recommend reporting it to the team.
Customer support offered to replace the device with the seller, and the seller agreed, but I decided to return the money. Incidentally, a friend of mine also bought a WiiM amp ultra from this seller, and he has the same problem: the inside of the case gets hot and noisy, but it doesn't bother him. It might be a batch issue, as another friend's case is cold, even though the room is hot.
 
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